Best Renewable Energy Grants in New York

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups advancing environmental and climate justice can seek funding for grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and Just Transition work in New York. The Scherman Foundation prioritizes BIPOC-led, movement-building efforts around renewable energy, green jobs, mass transit, and climate resilience, with limited support also available for groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Training providers and organizations developing clean energy workforce programs in New York can apply for NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Career Pathways Training funding, with awards from US $250,000 - US $1,500,000. Grants support industry-driven technical training, career preparation, wraparound services, and job placement in areas like renewable energy, energy efficiency, storage, smart grid, and EV charging.

Eligible New York organizations creating or expanding electric vehicle repair, charging station maintenance, or EV fleet maintenance training can receive up to US $500,000, including support for related equipment and wraparound services. The New York State Department of Labor requires at least 35% of participants to reside in Disadvantaged Communities, and programs must not charge tuition or fees to participants.

Organizations able to serve as a technical support contractor for local governments can access funding to design and run clean energy peer-learning cohorts in New York. Focused on renewable and sustainable energy, NYSERDA invites qualified contractors to develop training, facilitate cohorts, gather feedback, and produce case studies to advance community-scale decarbonization, with awards up to US $3,750,000.

Organizations providing clean energy curriculum resources or educator training for New York students and teachers can apply for NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Career Awareness Program, with awards up to US $5,000,000. Grants from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority help New York renewable energy and education partners build web-based teaching tools and deliver large-scale professional development, especially serving disadvantaged communities and priority school districts.

With a mission to support sustainability, American Honda Motor provides New York nonprofits and schools with funding for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and public or private schools can request US $25,000 - US $100,000 for programs such as onsite solar or wind, energy efficiency upgrades, and recycling or composting initiatives.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3), (4), (6), or (19) nonprofits with at least $250K in annual revenue can seek US $50,000 - US $400,000 for renewable energy and broader sustainability projects benefiting communities in New York and other eligible states. Grants from Green Mountain Energy help fund initiatives like solar, clean transportation, energy efficiency, conservation, and environmental education.

Organizations providing energy efficiency and clean technology training in New York can apply for NYSERDA’s workforce development funding, with awards up to US $1,000,000. With a mission to promote clean energy and emissions reduction, NYSERDA supports technical training, experiential learning, and job placement that expand the renewable energy talent pipeline and advance climate equity goals.

Employers and organizations in New York that manage building operations can apply for NYSERDA’s workforce training funding to develop energy-efficient building operations and maintenance skills. Grants from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority help renewable and sustainable energy stakeholders create curricula, on-site training labs, coaching, and train-the-trainer programs, with awards ranging from US $50,000 - US $500,000.

Municipalities in New York seeking funding for greenhouse gas reduction, climate adaptation, or climate-planning projects can apply for the Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, with awards from US $10,000 - US $200,000. Focused on local climate action, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation invites communities to pursue implementation and certification projects that advance sustainability goals.

With a mission to advance renewable energy, this NYSERDA program provides New York affordable housing and community solar projects with predevelopment and technical assistance funding. Eligible projects serving low-to-moderate income households can receive up to US $200,000 to overcome barriers and develop equitable solar and/or storage installations for multifamily and shared solar models.

RBC Foundation provides New York nonprofit organizations focused on workforce preparation, youth development, and community programs with funding for skills training, inclusive prosperity, and environmental sustainability initiatives. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) public charities, operating for at least three years, with $100,000+ budgets in communities where RBC Wealth Management has a business presence.

Tribal governments and Tribal collaboratives in the U.S., including New York, can seek funding to build capacity for offshore wind engagement, planning, and participation. Focused on renewable and wind energy, the United States Department of Energy provides up to US $565,000 in phased cash awards plus technical assistance for priorities like economic development, workforce training, and environmental monitoring.

Organizations commercializing ARPA-E–funded energy technologies can receive US $5,000,000 - US $20,000,000 to scale high-risk, high-impact innovations, including renewable and sustainable energy solutions. The U.S. Department of Energy provides support for subject inventions with ARPA-E origins, reported in iEdison and covered by a U.S. patent application or patent, which may benefit New York clean energy efforts.

Graduate students pursuing research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 for actionable, timely projects addressing water industry challenges. Focused on water and environmental topics, the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship from American Water Works Association may benefit students whose work intersects renewable or sustainable energy in New York and beyond.

The Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF) empowers tribal communities across the U.S. by promoting renewable energy projects and workforce development. Launched by GRID Alternatives, TSAF provides critical funding for solar initiatives, enhancing energy sovereignty and resilience. Since its inception, TSAF has integrated community participation into its projects, ensuring that tribes can access sustainable energy solutions. By prioritizing education and equity, TSAF supports a transition to a clean energy economy, aiming for a sustainable future for generations to come.

The AUKUS Scholarship, part of the Graduate Education Fund, supports American and Australian graduate students in security, technology, and diplomacy fields. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents, with an offer from an accredited institution. The scholarship provides up to $40,000 for tuition, travel, and living expenses. Applications are due in March for Australia to USA and in September for USA to Australia. This initiative strengthens ties and promotes research in critical areas.

The Northeast Sea Grant Consortium and NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center invite proposals to explore the interactions between fishing communities and offshore wind development in the U.S. Northeast. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of community resilience and economies, while fostering collaborative research that informs decision-making. Proposals should utilize qualitative and quantitative methods and involve at least one Co-PI from the six states of the NESGC, with a requirement for a 25% non-federal match.

The Edison Scholars Program, sponsored by Edison International, offers $12,500 annually to thirty high school seniors pursuing degrees in STEM fields at accredited U.S. colleges. This renewable scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and reside in Southern California Edison’s service territory. Scholars also gain access to a paid summer internship after their first year. Eligible majors include engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences, fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Industrial and energy-technology organizations in New York developing thermal or electric energy storage concepts for industrial facilities can access funding through the U.S. Department of Energy. The Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize offers up to US $700,000 across three competitive phases to design, prototype, and validate cost-effective industrial energy storage solutions that support renewable and efficient energy use.

The Park Foundation Grants for the Environment focus on ensuring clean and accessible drinking water while opposing shale gas extraction and infrastructure expansion. They fund diverse initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices and policies, particularly within New York State. The Foundation supports advocacy, organizing, and corporate responsibility efforts that align with their mission to foster a just and sustainable environment, empowering communities to protect their natural resources.

BMO Gives is committed to fostering positive societal impact through community support and charitable initiatives. It focuses on enhancing community and economic resilience, as well as environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants must be registered charities or non-profits operating in Canada or the U.S. and align with BMO's corporate values, which promote inclusivity and non-discrimination. The program aims to support projects that address significant societal needs and empower local communities.

The Enbridge Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in North American communities through strategic donations and sponsorships. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the grant supports organizations focused on safety, education, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous culture. Enbridge encourages early applications, with decisions typically made within eight weeks. The grant seeks to empower local initiatives that foster community strength, vibrancy, and sustainability.

The AES Hawaiʻi Foundation Grant supports communities near AES Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy projects, focusing on social justice, education, environmental stewardship, and community health. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations in these areas, but statewide entities may also apply. Successful projects should align with the Foundation’s impact pillars, demonstrate measurable community benefits, and address unmet needs, ensuring long-term positive effects on the local community.

About All Points North Foundation

All Points North Foundation is dedicated to navigating communities upward.

All Points North Foundation was founded in 2011 by a family who believes passionately that everyone has a “true North” – a place of achievement – and that everyone should have equal opportunity and access to realize their goals.

Our Vision

We envision a nation where the middle school years are seen as an important, vital time in the lives of youth, and where the public middle school education experience in underserved communities measurably improves

We also envision a nation where the integration of solar benefits families, local economies and the environment.

Our Priorities

All Points North Foundation funds grantees in two areas – public middle school education (grades 6-8) and solar – that have the power to help communities nationwide navigate upward.

Grant Making

All Points North Foundation seeks collaborative partnerships with grantees in our two priority areas.

Solar Energy

All Points North Foundation is focused on finding ways to significantly advance the penetration of solar through education, job training and use of solar electric technologies in the United States.

All Points North Foundation has three priority areas:

Providing solar and workforce development training for Tribal communities to expand and diversify the solar job pipeline.

Working with small- to medium-sized science centers to engage students, families and local communities on the benefits and science behind solar.

Providing solar installations to nonprofit organizations that build high-quality, safe and affordable residential housing, offsetting energy costs and enabling cost savings for households.

The cost of solar has dropped dramatically over the last decade, however the upfront cost of going solar remains a hurdle for most families, communities and nonprofits.

All Points North Foundation does consider funding solar projects outside of these focal areas, but the programs must demonstrate how solar will have a broader impact on local communities (e.g., economic, social or environmental), as well as showcase the potential for replication across the nation.

The Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program, administered by the USDA's NIFA, aims to enhance the capabilities of eligible institutions in agriculture and related fields. By providing financial support, the program encourages institutions to compete for federal funding, disseminate vital information, and foster community engagement in educational and research initiatives. This initiative is crucial for developing infrastructure, promoting faculty development, and establishing graduate assistantships to address national and regional agricultural priorities.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.